Alabama football is working more bodies on the field, especially on its defensive line.
With an injury to LaBryan Ray in practice and having another player hurt versus Georgia, Nick Saban went to Jamil Burroughs during the second half against the Bulldogs.
A true freshman from McEachern High School in Power Springs, Ga., Burroughs was one of three defensive linemen that signed in the Crimson Tide’s recruiting cycle in February.
According to Justin Smith, the lead scouting and recruiting analyst for Touchdown Alabama Magazine, it was Burroughs’ ‘high motor’ that quickly drew his attention.
“He was always pursuing the ball and pressuring the quarterback,” Smith said of Burroughs. “He never took plays off.”
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While he was in the game, Burroughs played a role in limiting Zamir White of Georgia to just 57 yards rushing on 10 carries.
He also helped the front line get consistent pressure to Stetson Bennett. He completed 18 of 40 passes (45 percent) and was intercepted three times. Burroughs was on a defensive front that totaled five of Alabama’s 10 pass breakups.
He assisted the team in getting off the field on third downs, and ultimately was a part of shutting the Bulldogs off the scoreboard in the second half. On Monday, Coach Saban explained why Burroughs received more playing time in a 41-24 win for Alabama.
“We were down a couple of guys in the game and without LaBryan Ray playing, that made us give Jamil more turns at practice,” Saban said. “He was doing a great job on the scout team. They were having a tough time blocking him over there. We said ‘who is the next man up.’ So then, we had another guy go down in the game and it made us a little short. We are going to continue to work him in and hopefully, he can continue to make progress.”
Along with Burroughs, Tim Smith played against Georgia too.
According to DJ Dale, both players really stepped up and helped the Tide.
Prior to signing at Alabama, Burroughs collected 120 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, two forced fumbles and one blocked field goal across two years of high school football.
The 6-foot-3, 326-pounder is looking to become a star in college.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
